Johnny 'Red' Pollard was just about as interesting as the thoroughbred that carried the jockey on a wild ride to the Hall of Fame.
A quintessential first born, John (nicknamed Red for his fiery crop of red hair) valued independence as primary among all the virtues. He was taught self-reliance. He grew up in privilege. His father, a wealthy industrialist in Western Canada, created an idyllic world for his wife and five children. They would groom the horses, combine work and play, explore the forest and lakes and streams meadows and high places by day, and when the evening darkened the skies, the family would gather in the library to explore literary adventure that sparked dreams, stoked the imagination and sharpened language. Conversation energized the Pollard family. Mother and father reveled in the quick wit and clever expression of their children. Mom and dad set the pace. 'Red' was a jockey by day and a boxer by night. This rough and tumble world where they called him “Red” was in every respect Darwinian. Survival of the fittest was a byword. Clever wit, quick thinking, cons of every sort, all made Red scrappy and streetwise.